BOSTON, Mass. — PeopleNet, a provider of onboard computing and mobile communications systems, has announced the introduction of three new major product enhancements at the American Trucking Associations’ Annual Meeting and Exposition.

“We have listened to what our customers want and developed new and exciting applications that meet those needs,” said Ron Konezny, COO of PeopleNet. “We are always looking to improve the functionality of our systems and these three new offerings continue our commitment to offer our diverse customer base leading-edge applications.”

Company officials say the first of the three new products, decision tree forms, are designed to allow companies to simplify complex driver to dispatcher interaction through branches and loops within a form message. PeopleNet say they have been focused on improving the efficiency of messaging over time. First, they introduced preprogrammed messages to help lessen the time drivers spent on cell phones. In the second phase, the company developed “forms” that helped to structure the dialogue around certain repeatable processes. Third was the development of automated messages using geofences to trigger exception-based reporting and further reduced driver intervention.

The second new offering, PeopleNet’s Bar Code Scanner, can be plugged into the g3 on-board computer using the USB port. The offering will include a tethered in-cab option in addition to an untethered option using Bluetooth technology to provide fleets with portable capabilities. Officials say the scanning option is ideal for fleets that need to scan in bar codes for inventory management, billing and other routine paperwork including proof of deliveries.

The third and final new product to be introduced is PeopleNet’s next generation geofencing and automated messaging platform. Known as PACOS 2.6, the new product extends upon the existing PACOS platform that allows fleets to build geofences and trigger automated arrival and departure alerts.

The new PACOS 2.6 will provide onboard trip management for drivers, the ability to sequence stops across a trip and late time alarms for detention time situations.

“For the driver, we have simplified his or her responsibilities and interactions with the Onboard Computer by providing negative response alerts, audible/ visual detention time alarms, and automatic trip start and end times based upon first and last events,” Konezny said. “This allows drivers to drive instead of inputting data. This will allow fleets to increase operational efficiency by eliminating messaging and only monitoring problem vehicles.”

All three features will automatically update existing g3 PeopleNet platforms using the company’s proprietary Over-the-Air-Programming(tm) (OTAP) feature early next year.